La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso was featured as the number 2 cigar of 2011 by Cigar Aficionado. Rightfully so, in our humble opinion.

This is the first of Philadelphia’s Ashton cigar brand that is made with a Mexican wrapper in lieu of the traditional Connecticut broadleaf found on its dark cigars. Unlike most Mexican wrappers though, the dark La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amors wrappers are grown from Cuban seeds.

Nicaraguan tobacco is combined with two binder leaves underneath the oily wrapper, making the flavor nothing short of exquisite. Described as an upper-medium bodied cigar, there are noticeable notes of earth and sweet spices. Still a more experienced palate may pick up hints of raisins, molasses and coffee. Cigar Aficionado suggests, “The tidy Belicoso is a box-pressed smoke that burns beautifully and has a lovely woody component balanced by notes of sweet nougat and copious amounts of nuts on the palate.”

The pressed cigar makes for an equally beautiful appeal to the eyes. It is a firm stick with intensified flavors and a sublime wrapper that contains only thin veins. The consistent construction promotes an accurate burn from foot to cap and solid light ash.

Come by the lounge and give it a try- we’re sure you’ll fall in love with this smoke.

We’re taking time out Thursday, February 23rd to commemorate the good life with Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real.

This special BCC event will include promotional offers with a cigar purchase. But if that’s not enough, you’ll get the chance to enter a drawing for a free iPad!

We can’t image a better combination than lighting up good cigars with good friends in honor of the good life, and getting access to free goods. If you can’t either, we’ll see you there!

Last week we highlighted the list created by Cigar Aficionado ranking the best smokes of 2011. Starting this week, we’re going to take you on a tour of each one so you can get to know them before you get a personal taste. Our goal is to help you find your favorite, even if you have to try them all.

At the top of the list was the Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill. The aesthetic appeal of this cigar is undeniable; Wrapped in an aged and fermented Honduran case, it is a dark auburn that echoes traditional Cuban sticks.

Image via Cigars Direct

Uniquely, the Prensado series was developed around the Trojes dark wrapper leaf and used only Central American tobacco. The Honduran and Nicaraguan combination of the Prensado Churchill create a classic smoke with supple leather, chocolate and spicy notes. The smoke itself is exceptionally full-bodied, described by Cigar Aficionado as having “an abundance of strength and natural sweetness as well as a tremendous amount of complexity.”

Don’t get caught in the same old Valentine’s Day rut. Spice up your romantic evening with a unique gift from your local Broadway Cigar Company.

If you’re passing through Lake Oswego, pick up a copy of the LO paper to see the BCC highlight, among other original gift ideas.

Valentine’s Day is this week- are you prepared? Luckily, BCC has you covered, and with this handy list of romantic cigars, you’re sure to impress your guy or gal with a unique spin on the traditional chocolate and roses.

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Romeo y Julieta

Is it bad luck to honor a day of love with the cigar named after ill-fated lovers? Nah. This Dominican brand is widely known for excellent flavor, unparalleled construction and a full body- ideal in a cigar as well as mates!

Perdomo Champagne

Champagne on Valentine’s Day is classic for a reason- and with its cedary aroma and light sweetness, it’s the perfect smoke to find yourself enveloped in with your loved one.

Moontrance by CAO

What could be more romantic than being entranced by the light of the moon… while smoking CAO’s Moontrance? This flavored cigar mixes the aroma of exotic fruits with bourbon vanilla- tastes so good, you might want to share it with a kiss!

Last month, the famed Cigar Aficionado released its list of Top 25 cigars of 2011. Here at Broadway Cigar, we’ve taken note. We are now carrying the 10 best smokes on the list, with slight Cuban adaptations for their Dominican counterparts, and included them below for you to decide which one flirts with your taste buds.

10. Casa Magna Colorado Diadema

Image via Cigar Aficionado

9. Warlock Robusto

Image via Cigar Aficionado

8. Dominican Punch Double Corona 

7. Cabaiguan Guapo

Image via Cigar Aficionado

6. Rocky Patel Fifteenth Anniversary Torpedo

Image via Cigar Aficionado

5. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivo Maduro

Image via Cigar Aficionado

4. Dominican Partagas 

3. Illusione Epernay Le Taureau

Image via Cigar Aficionado

2. La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso

Image via Cigar Aficionado

1. Alec Bradley Prensado Churchill

Image via Cigar Aficionado

We strive to bring you the cream of the crop and these, my friends, are them. Come down to either location and satisfy your appetite for one (or one of each) of these pleasurable smokes.

Image courtesy of 2 My Hero

We at Broadway Cigar do not underestimate the sacrifices made by our military service members and their families. Nor do we imagine an enjoyable holiday without them. This Valentine’s Day we are joining forces with Portland small business 2 My Hero to show our support for yours.

Together we’ll give away a Valentine’s Day package, introducing 2 My Hero’s newest Valentine’s Day card. The care package will include a gift G.A.R from us and a four-piece box of Moonstruck chocolates, as well as a signed original print of the featured artwork.

If you ‘like’ 2 My Hero on Facebook and suggest it to your friends we’ll help show your soldier some love. Contest ends January 31, 2012.

The Berger and Argenti series is a result of the merger between Cuban Imports’ Albert and Michael Argenti and Don Kiki Berger, who created lines for Cuban Crafters. Positioned to satisfy the everyday enthusiast, each variety offers an optimal value in the long-filler cigar market. Several sticks took top places on 2011 lists.

The finely-constructed cigars often feature dry yet almost veinless wrappers, which burn with seductive precision and equally impressive ash. A clear and enjoyably loose draw makes for a pleasant and relaxing smoke.

Image courtesy of Toasted Foot

As always the flavor varies between blends but sweet tobacco, hints of coffee and notes of spice make recurring appearances. The smoke is creamy on the palate and allows more mild flavors to linger while spice finds the back of the throat. Although the flavors are not as complex in comparison, they are consistent and ideal for a daily treat.

La Palina Cigars has been producing quality cigars since its establishment in 1896 for the smoker’s daily enjoyment. Lower than the traditional price point, La Palina’s El Diario blend was Founder Bill Paley’s attempt to provide an enjoyable daily smoke for enthusiasts. This particular stick received a rating of 94 from Cigar Journal and was named the best cigar of 2011 by Cigar Coop. El Diario is not the only star in this line- Paley describes the Pasha as “the king” of the La Palina cigar family.

Image courtesy of Cigar Inspector

The brand is known for its classic tobacco taste and modern refinements. Each cigar is habitually well-constructed and is medium-bodied with a noticeable depth. The Nicaraguan tobacco nods to earthy cloves and pepper. The complex flavors of cocoa, coffee, cinnamon and subtle fruits titillate the palate and vary among vitolas.

Roll over to Broadway Cigar and discover which La Palina tickles your fancy.